I think my snake loves me

I feel like my snake knows a persons scent and if their a threat or not. My pied comes right onto my hand when I lift up his hide and pet his back. My girlfriend tries to do the same and he ALWAYS balls up or hisses. Even past snakes I owned always squirmed in others hands or just looked uncomfortable.

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Originally Posted by HVani

I don't mind people loving their snakes. I adore my snakes and I find them very relaxing. We have a mutual respect and understanding. I would even go so far as to say we have a relationship. My scalies recognize me and seem to prefer me. However, I don't believe they feel love for me. They are not devoid of all feelings, I just think love is too complex for these simple creatures.

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I can agree with that love is really complex hahaha most humans dont even or barely understand it

It is a proven fact snakes do not have the ability to love. That part of their brain does not exist.. HOWEVER - Snakes do have the ability to LIKE. And I'm sure there is a level to how much they can like something or someone. My snake shows signs of comfortableness around me and acts in a fun and friendly matter with me. My BP Cornelius shows great fondness towards me, and that's enough for me!

Everytime i hear facts and brain in the same sentence i see a preview for a tv show "have scientist finally found the secret to unlocking one of the worlds greatest mysteries... Tune in next week when scientist explore the mysteries of the brain" lol. How many facts have changed over the years


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Originally Posted by Seemingly_Harmless

It is a proven fact snakes do not have the ability to love. That part of their brain does not exist.. HOWEVER - Snakes do have the ability to LIKE. And I'm sure there is a level to how much they can like something or someone. My snake shows signs of comfortableness around me and acts in a fun and friendly matter with me. My BP Cornelius shows great fondness towards me, and that's enough for me!

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This makes sense- you don't particularly need oxytocin interacting with the brain to find comfort or enjoyment in something.

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Originally Posted by pythonminion

This makes sense- you don't particularly need oxytocin interacting with the brain to find comfort or enjoyment in something.

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Exactly. Which is why I believe that even though my snake most-likely doesn't love me, that he is fond of me.

I don't think my snakes love me. I do think my snakes recognize me, perceive me as being of no threat and associate my presence with things like rodents, water, and getting out of their enclosures. They do not all appreciate me equally, but every last one of them behaves differently with me than other members of my household who handle the snakes minimally and never provide food/water/take them out. They're simple animals, yeah, but they are animals and are very definitely capable of learning and forming associations. If they've got a positive association with my presence (and getting things) then it's good enough for me.

If you define love the same way a plant loves sunlight and good soil then I absolutely think my snake loves me ;)

I wouldn't say she loves me as much as say she loves attention. However my RTB doesn't like to roam around when I get her out. She comes right back to you.

I don't know if snakes can love, but I only have to spend 5 minutes with my jcp to know beyond all doubt that they can hate!

As for salmonella, all egg laying species carry it. It's just used as a reptile bogeyman. People let their parrots kiss them all the time without worrying that they may end up with salmonella.

Sure, you could catch salmonella from handling a snake. Or eating an egg mcmuffin. Or eating raw cookie dough. When I consider the risks I take on a daily basis just by getting behind the wheel of my car, it makes me rather unconcerned about the risks of letting my snakes hide in my beard.